"More than thirty-five years have passed since William Morgan wrote his famous book revealing the mysteries of modern Freemasonry, and giving to the outside world a particular description of the ceremonies observed in the Lodges of the first six or seven degrees. The bare rumor that such a book was to be published created much astonishment and indignation among the Masonic fraternity of Western New York, and particularly those who had associated with Morgan in the meetings of the Craft. They soon ascertained the rumor to be true, and that Col. David C. Miller, the publisher of a newspaper in Batavia was in fact then engaged in printing the book.

Great efforts were immediately made by a large number of Freemasons to stop its publication—first by arresting Morgan for debt—then by a complaint against him for larceny during the prosecution of which his apartments were searched—and lastly by kidnapping the unfortunate man, taking him by forcibly from the jail at Canadaigua where he was confined on some pretense, carrying him in a close carriage to Fort Niagara (then unoccupied) and there murdering him in cold blood. These events occured in September 1826, but the Masonic brethern did not succeed in suppressing the book written by Morgan..."